Apalachin Community Press, July 2000

Annie's Corner By Anne O. Stout

Words Wound
Whoever said, "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me," was crazy.

Ever been having a little tiff, a lover's quarrel with your spouse, or significant other? Sometimes fueled by anger, we say things, words, we don't really mean, and "ouch", I am here to say they can and do hurt. And depending on the severity of the wound, they hurt and fester for awhile, not easily forgotten.

How about your kids? Ever face off with your teenagers? I have two of them, and when angered they are like the wounded animal and lash out. I try to tell myself they love me, and am only upset now, but don't lessen the pain one little bit.

I also have a twelve year old and he likes to see just how far he can push before I break, or push back depending on how my day is going.

Disagreements arise between the best of friends, and what is said may be all there is, but it can still cause pain. Sure not a literal, bleeding, must stitch up would, but still hurts.

The irony is what is wrong with us? Do you think we are oblivious to the pain our words can cause? If we are not then why do we do it? Why do we let the hurtful, harmful words escape our lips?

Get those feelings out, don't keep them bottled up we are told. Hmmm, I have to wonder sometimes, is it all right to feel better if we have hurt another? Remember, "we always hurt the ones we love?" Why? Why do we hurt the ones we love?

Don't you love these questions, these nagging, annoying questions that really have no answers?

Well I do know one answer. I thank God, and I do not have the ability to read minds. I might not like what I find.